Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-06-03
A RACE FOR A PRIZE.
BY FRANK j. MARTIN.

as Alex. Beaver Ills rough CiOlu'
ing and gunny-sach told plainly
that he had adopted that mode Of
travel which affords the tourist am
pie time and facilities for the study
of track building.
A stranger does not attract a
great deal of attention in a south
western town, and especially so in
Ration. There was, however, some
thing peculiar in the ways and
manners of Alex, and he soon be.
came a favorite. He exhibited an
inclination to "settle down. and
entered the employ of John Biggs.
John Biggs was a Northerner,
aud showed at all times decided
preference for men who came from
his native state. When he discOv-
cred that Alex. was not only a ma
tive OF his state, but a citizen OF the
very town in which he was born
and raised, Biggs insisted that
Alex. should not only tell him all
the news about the people at 'hOme'
but visit his house and spend the
evenings talking over old scenes
Alex. assented, and it was in this
way that he met Rosie, the charm
ing daughter of his employer. Rosie
was a typical Southern lass, nine
teen, plump, jolly, and ola gener'
Gus disposition. She was highly
educated and was an accomplished
musician, yet her greatest share OF
pleasure was obtained through the
medium of bold and daring riding,
No section of the country presents
a better field for the enjoyment OF
this sport than the districts in and
around Ration. Hence the example
set by Rosie was carefully followed
by the fair sex. The young man who
could not successfully manage a
bronchO was looked upon as an
exile from all that was exhilerat
ing and proper.
Although the distinction and loss
of enjoyment were keenly felt, there
were several young lnen in Ration
who would not venture on the hur'
ricane deck of a broncho for all
the ladies in New Mexico.
Amongst this class was Alex
lie made rapid strides in the com.
mercial world, was high in the es-
timation OF the best society, yet he
abborred, or pretended to, the idea
Of horse-riding as a sport.
He began to wait on the pleas
ures of Rosie, and soon became her
ardent lover. When it came to "a
little excursion across the plains,
he turned up as one of the missing
and always had an excuse for not
being present. Soon he began to
learn that he had a rival in the
person of a young merchant who
was noted as being the only man
who could outride Rosie, and he
often found it a difficult task to
perform. His embarrassing posi-
ton did net drown his hopes, Meth
er did it prevent him from medi-
tating on the feasibility OF becOm-
ing a horseman. He soon began
20 look forward to the day on which
lie would be able to mount a horse
and sail across the plains and table
land alongside of Rosie. Then Mr..
Biggs had in numerous ways en-
couraged his attentions to Rosie,
ana this nerved him on.
He made up his mind to propose
at once and meet his fate. With
this end in view, he called one
evening, and was confronted in the
parlor by Mr.. Pitts, his rival. The
conversation was forced from one
subject to another without the
slightest bit of satisfaction to either
Pitts or Alex. At last it drifted
around to Pinto, a neighboring
town some thirteen miles distant.
Rosie, who had been doing all
the talking expressed a determine
ton TO visit Pinto the following
day, and concluded by saying in a
half doubtful, entreating way, that
she wished some one would call over
for her II the afternoon so that she
would have an escort home.
Before Pitts could move a mus
Gle, Alex. offered his services.
"But, Mr.. Beaver does not ride,
enjOlned Pitts.
BEG PARDON replied Alex. she
does, although not often"
"But l am going over on bust
ness" persisted Pitts, land can re-
lieve you of the journey"
Thanks, | am delighted at your
kindness, but am forced to de
cline your offer, for a ride is just
what ] want" replied Alex, rather
sarcastically.
Rosie was delighted at the turn
affairs had taken, while Pitts was
baffled. Pitts resolved to go, so he
continued his lea, saying: 81 will
be going over about four, and il
you don't mind | will take little
run with you"
This was looked upon in the light
OF a challenge by Alex, and he
readily assented to it. BY way Of
an inducement it was also agreed
that the one TO arrive first at a
given point in Pinto was the one TO
return home with Rosie. The ar
engagements made, Mr.. Pitts de.